It may not look like a big deal, but the Kia C'eed three-door hatch is the most significant vehicle to hit European shores since that 1911 Gräf & Stift Rois De Blougne tourer blew a rod, killing Archduke Franz Ferdinand and subsequently starting World War I. Maybe not quite that, but the C'eed three door is significant for its leading-edge design by former Audi scribbler and head of Kia's European design office, Peter Schreyer. The Slovakian-built hatch will show up at the Frankfurt show before going on sale, continentally, in December, competing with such C-segment mainstays as the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Vauxhall "Prince Henry."

Press Release:

KIA cee'd THREE-DOOR REVEALED

Kia Motors Corporation has released the first preview image of its exciting new Kia three-door hatchback model which will make its World Premiere at this year's Frankfurt International Motor Show on 11 September. The new model will be named Pro-cee'd.

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Based closely on the earlier 'pro_cee'd' concept shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2006, the new production model has been developed by Kia's design team in Europe under the direction of Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer.

"Longer, lower and lighter than its five-door sister car, the new Kia Pro-cee'd is going to be a great drive," enthused Mr Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Motors Europe. "Combining real style and genuine practicality, our new three-door cee'd is sure to delight existing Kia customers and attract a new group of European consumers who have not yet considered our brand."

Manufactured in Slovakia, Pro-cee'd will be the third member of the Kia cee'd family, joining the popular cee'd five-door and the soon to be released cee'd SW models to make Kia an especially strong challenger for C-segment sales in Europe.

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Production of the Pro-cee'd model range is scheduled to begin in November with first customer sales during the early months of 2008.